Monday marks the end of Week 15 of the NFL season with a sort of doubleheader, with one game starting at 8 p.m. and another a half-hour later. The former, a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears in the NFC North, is likely to draw the majority of viewers. The Atlanta Falcons’ journey to play the Las Vegas Raiders, however, is something that New York Giants supporters need to see. The events on ESPN on Monday night may have an impact on New York’s immediate and long-term destiny.
The Giants’ draft position, which is currently a half-game ahead of the Raiders for the first choice come April, is the most significant stake they can stake from this game. New York is unquestionably one of the league’s poorest clubs with a 2–12 record. However, if Las Vegas prevails, it will join a group of five other 3-11 clubs who are fighting for the second quarterback off the board or the rights to Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter. Instead of depending on the strength of schedule tiebreakers, the Giants would be able to take charge of their own fate and secure the first choice with a two-win season. Atlanta won’t make New York’s night any more pleasant because they are in dire need of a victory and are a six-point favorite.
Kirk Cousins, the quarterback for the Falcons, is going through one of his worst periods, though. Only Drew Lock of the Giants has had fewer anticipated points added per play out of the 31 quarterbacks who have played at least 100 games between Weeks 11 and 14. In that time, he has thrown eight interceptions and no touchdowns. See also: WATCH: Shedeur Sanders and Malik Nabers Play Catch After losing their division lead to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta is in terrible shape. On national television, the Cousins period (and possibly his career) might come to a functional conclusion. The Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. to be the long-term replacement for Cousins. But with his mobility sapped from last season’s Achilles injury and his arm strength fading,
That would put the rookie in line to start Week 16’s festivities, when Atlanta plays host to New York. One could argue that helps the Giants’ “tank,” as the pass rush may be able to force an immobilized Cousins into a shell of himself, while Penix re-opens the entire playbook. It’s bound to be ugly, but that’s nothing new for the New York faithful. Giants fans will want to tune in on Monday night.